The Last Day

The day before
the last day 
of the year 
any year 
with some reluctance 
and reflective pause 
we move forward
spinning like a top
like a wild beast
is chasing us
the wind whistles 
silly baby songs
in perfect tune
of days gone by
but we move forward
because that is 
what we do
that is what we must do
life is a free flow
fast falling drop 
from a heavenly sky
a splendid journey 
from dust to dirt 
and all that is 
in-between 
we make and take
the most of it
...or not 
but it is the most 
we can make
the most we can take
when that is all we know
and given we are human 
with silk ribbons of optimism
tied around our wrist 
subtle reminders
with one foot always
remaining in the clouds
and the other 
sliding into the grave 
just because
because we know 
we know we have 
a shelf life 
a time limit 
an expiration date 
...of sorts 
no deals in a back room
black light swaying
from side to side
shadowy figure
finger pointing
sign on the dotted line
no cross roads
doesn't matter 
what we have 
or don't
how much cash 
is on hand
a bargain with the devil
good faith - last smirk
nothing will extend
our credit 
for another day
so we dance 
with the best of them
we sing 
with the worst
and laugh 
like there is no tomorrow
because there isn't
we have this moment
shine a light 
in the darkness
for those we will leave behind...

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Death Of A Female Poet

Slipping away
Into a sweet space
Reverie peace maker
Holds my hand
Feather bed comfort
Safe haven soothsayer 
Fluffy white pillows
Lavender and lace
Lulling me into
A deep sleep
Dreams in sepia
Hints of color
- and a spray
Of black and white
Vintage montage
In the powerful Atlantic air
I am standing high above
Second floor balcony
Overlooking the Saugatuck River
Noon sun burning in the sky
Letting it all in with eyes shut
A better way to see
All the magical images
Encompassing me
- and off in the distance
Someone is picking up
A loaded gun, taking aim
- and shooting at me
1st shot center 3rd eye
2nd shot left of the heart
Pulsating blood beat
Words entwined
No rhythm no rhyme
Words suspended
There is no sense of time
- and as the light
Begins to shift and fade
I feel everything
A rush of sweetness
- and surrender
A loss of fear
A loss of rage
- and as the high tide
Murky Saugatuck waters
Begin to flow over me
Pushing beyond
The eternal waves
Floating into a deep grey sea
The Long Island Sound
Is singing my name
- and welcoming me...Woman Of The Page

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Brightest Of Eyes

The arms of love 
Wrapped around me 
Small boy 
Baby child 
Little angel with 
The brightest of eyes 
Cherishing and grateful 
For all of what this life 
Has unfolded before me
..and it took a while 
But I have come to know 
Life is what we make of it 
As time slowly passes 
- and harsh memories fade 
The space I wake in 
Is full of optimism 
...and surprise 
Even as our world 
Spins reluctantly out of control
- setting its self ablaze 
Off in a quieter calming place 
There is a true Wisdom 
...and words from the oh so very Wise 
As I drift off peacefully
Into my heavenly place 
Of an imaginary feather bed
 - and Cheshire wide smiles 
I will continue to count 
...all of my blessings 
And walk the unknown miles
With the arms of love 
Wrapped around me 
Small boy 
Baby child 
Little angel with 
The brightest of eyes ~


© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Small Boy Tender

Small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

That could melt butter

 - in his mouth

While dripping sweet 

Saccharine like words 

Of lies and deceit 

One push 

Slight of hand 

Reaches out 
To be held 

 - poor little sister

Cracked skull

Echoed cries 
and life 

...swing in the balance

Baby dolls
 - toy guns 

Put away 
For safe keeping

Time capsule 

Records sealed 
To protect 
“innocence”

Carefully wrapped

In newsprint 
from 1965

Is no longer 
A figment 

Of Freud’s imagination

While sharing 
The mid night oil 

With the likes 
of Jean Piaget

A child’s dream

…small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

Our love fans 
the flame
Desire fuels 
the fire 

We have a slow 
Dance of our own

Following the rhythm 

Of a distant 
...drummer

And I’m tearful 

When old photos 

seem to fade

Yet your words 
Move through me 

Like the hum 
Of a warm guitar

With the harp blower 
 - vibrating

There is not a breath 
taken...between us

As he holds onto 
That infamous note 

Like a one hit wonder

A precious soul
Small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

Careful not to 
rush the beat

Reminiscent 
of a frantic lover

Maintaining 
the perfection 

- of our love song
Small boy tender child 

Wide brown eyes 
With an angelic smile… 

That could melt butter

 - in his mouth

While dripping sweet 

Saccharine like words 

Of lies and deceit ~ 

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Footsteps Of Angels - HWL

Asked and answered - if I had been from another era and had the talent to write the words with such divinity; I would have channeled my pain, closed my eyes and let the emotions flow from my heart to my finger tips forming such beauty...I would have written and spoken these words for you.
(12/14 TY)

Footsteps Of Angels

When the hours of Day are numbered,
And the voices of the Night
Wake the Better soul, that slumbered,
To a holy, calm delight;
Ere the evening lamps are lighted,
And, like phantoms grim and tall,
Shadows from the fitful firelight
Dance upon the parlor wall;
Then the forms of the departed
Enter at the open door;
The beloved, the true-hearted,
Come to visit me once more;
He, the young and strong, who cherished
Noble longings for the strife,
By the roadside fell and perished,
Weary with the march of life!
They, the holy ones and weakly,
Who the cross of suffering ore,
Folded their pale hands so meekly,
Spake with us on earth no more!
And with them the Being Beauteous,
Who unto my youth was given,
More than all things else to love me
And is now a saint in heaven.
With a slow and noisless footstep
Comes that messenger divine,
Takes the vacant chair beside me,
Lays his gentle hand in mine.
And he sits and gazes at me
With those deep and tender eyes,
Like the stars, so still and saint-like,
Looking downward from the skies.
Utter not, yet comprehended,
Is the spirit's voiceless prayer,
Soft rebukes, in blessings ended
Breathing from his lips of air.
O, though oft depressed and lonely,
All my fears are laid aside,
If I but remember only
Such as these have lived and died!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Death

Some people say to me 
With good intentions
Possible discomfort
- or lack of experience
It's time to move forward
Start living your life
Reminding me repeatedly
I am no longer married to you
I am no longer your wife
Hold your head up sweet darling
You don't need to cry - anymore
...that is not what he would have wanted 
That is not what his death was for...
Sadly he lost his right to want anything 
When he left this place of existence
That night he took not only his last breath 
But my path of least resistance 
Leaving behind a blue vase 
A dozen beautiful white roses 
That crashed without warning 
Tiny irreplaceable pieces onto the floor
A love note of forever and forever 
 - and then never more
There is no subtle way to share or explain
And as I have said before - there is no time limit
On grieving or the depth of the pain
The process of moving from here to there
To know the finality of death - if ever
Nothing ever feels right
Nothing ever seems fair
And once that gut wrenching poison 
Seeped deep into my heart 
And took hold - there was no time
...and truth be told
It eventually became the norm - 
It has found its safe haven
it has found its home
It wakes me in the middle of the night
Stealing away any sense of peace 
A prisoner of my own confine
A battle within - a battle I continue to fight
A sweet reverie only to be replaced
By childhood demons that move so slowly
The demons we battled and put to rest 
So many years ago
The vivid colors and visuals 
Of that moment in time
...one night seven years ago 
There is no sensible reason  
They have not faded they remain sublime
Yesterday is not just a memory 
It has become a way of life
And maybe that is all part of some empirical plan
Giving us a story we can hold onto 
- to breathe easy when there is no rhyme
To engage that perfect fit 
- the perfection in our own disguise ...
The balance between 
All the good and all the bad 
Life experiences the happy 
- and the sad
To share the joke 
That is on you/me with someone
Who will not judge
The error of our ways
Or the fear of being abandoned 
 - and always feeling safe
Without having to say a word 
A simple look deep into each others eyes
Knowing nothing 
Should be taken for granted
...a heartfelt word to the wise
Truly knowing everything will be fine
And you and I knew it all too well
We just didn't know the length - of our time line...

© 2014 TrilbyYates

The Edge

Cafe Dark Nights 
For the sleek and slender
Of mind and heart
The scent of cappuccino
And espresso brewing
Poured seductively
Into delicate imported
Fine China cups
Intellectual chatter floats
As light as a feather
From table to candle lit table
With a Beatnik snap
Of the fingers - an antiquated signal
Of artistic approval
Long pause and a deep sigh
Your body brushes past
My emotionally charged senses
And a mental note is made
The mind surrenders
To a fantasy land 
Of black seamed silk stockings
And hard passionate kisses
A scene from Cabaret 
We make the best
Of last chances - one more time
As provocative poetry is read
The spoken word brings life
And added ambiance to the candle light
Burning your eyes into mine
Your hand belongs in mine
Such a perfect fit
Like a Gucci glove that costs - too much
But we have been willing - to spend
What we don't have
What we can't afford
With hope and optimism
The next step is casually mentioned
Never seeing the light of day
Because we both know
The high price of living
So close - to the edge

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Music Time

I fell in love with a boy
who held music in his hands
like a fragile thought
that could easily slip away
it filled his heart
like there was never
enough time
for all the notes to play
making his chest ache
the way mine did
every time he kissed
my finger tips
we would make love
on the music room floor
while searching for inspiration
knowing it was only
moments away
nothing seemed beyond our reach
so we would wait
and watch the sunrise
slowly coming up and over the city streets
there is such beauty in the breaking of dawn
hitting high notes within the perfection
of a continuous and endless line
listening closely until we couldn't - dance any more
...remember my name - he'd say
I would look deep into his eyes
while strumming my guitar
never missing a note
his face etched in the most cherished
place in my mind and we both knew
I was his and he was mine
we would be forever - connected in music time

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Mojo Kicking In

Slipping off pseudo
Dr. Freud's leather couch
$250 an hour
to soothe
my fevered brow
- ease a weary
torn soul
from thoughts
and memories
demons haunting past
that push the limits
crowding the 3rd eye
- blind
to a convoluted
way of life...
nothing travels
in a straight line
moving again 
and again
as the moon
swings around
the the earth
such a grandiose plan
- embroidered pillow sham
cushions my fall
landing on my knees
- a view you always preferred
looking down
from high above
the 69th floor
ivory towers crumble
...ashes to ashes
like silk intimates
dusting over
my body's curves
temperature rises
a tiny drop of sweat
slowly descends
a path downward
between
my breasts
You reach out...
slight of hand
smoke and mirrors
you are a master
 - of innocence
in its highest art form
hot red lights disguise
dark smooth skin
while guitar mesmerizes
with a 13 bar riff
sweet seductive harp
blowing upstage
rhythm and blues
pulsates a steady beat
that keeps time
an infamous bump and grind
wrapping itself around my body
like a sweltering sexy summer breeze
deep sigh - comfort zone
we begin to fly
another song and a shot of VO
there is no time lost
when your Mojo is kicking in
questions lingering from the past
sassy blues - idiosyncrasies
and contradictions
good times falling on bad
judgment days and cross roads
someones woman is waiting
in the the wind, you slip out
the back door - Johnny
Man...living blues
...it's all about living the blues

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Kisses In The Dark

Glass slipper shatters 
As you walk on water
Like the second coming 
Of someone of substance
Someone we have 
All been longing for
Only you care about the timing 
Of this desperate game
Life and all its little 
...inconsequential - s
Universal plan falls 
Neatly into place 
Like domino's standing 
In a carefully placed row
One behind the other 
If one hand trembles
Tin soldiers tumble and 
Suicide bombers explode 
At the sound 
Of bells ringing 
In a far, far away land
But, I have forgotten 
The truth
And color of your eyes
And you 
You can't recall my name
So with a bitter sweet farewell 
- 21 gun salute and flags flown 
At a mournful half staff
I bid to you and yours 
Whom ever they may be
A happy and prosperous new year
Words of warning as you turn 
Strut and stagger away 
One glass too many
One glass is never enough
Like kisses in the dark 
That slowly lead to paradise
Head tipped to the left 
Sympathetically diving off the curve
Last words slur and drip 
From your oh so seductive lips
"...don't accept Canadian coin 
from strangers and never cross Jack..."
The one eyed man observes more 
Than just you and me
His days are numbered with good intentions 
- one to ten and counting
And always, always remember 
To pause and reflect while twisting 
Your personally monogrammed 
Sterling silver knife
That one last meaningful

t...u...r...n...

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Lust And Passion

Hey...you...pssst...floating 
Lightly from high above
The cement masses
Whistles and cat calls
Reminiscent of a 50's B flick
With blonde bombshells 
And well manicured mustaches
That get twisted when the mood shifts
From scene to scene
Little girl with grown up shoes
Struts her stuff
While taking another puff
Long thin 100s imported 
Via her new daddy's 
Best stash dipped 
In candy coated cocaine
For character reference
And a little push
All for the sake of its own
Gentle manipulative shove
She slips from the right - side of the curve 
To the depths of hell in waiting
There is no bounce left in her step
Looking up with a child's eye
Batting her thick false lashes
Trying to disguise
Her lack of expertise
In matters of lust and passion
What entices the streets
Of a city that never sleeps;
Never protecting its young
and innocent - taking from the weak...?

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Red Vinyl

Static New York accents float
With abrasive intent throughout the diner -
Burnt smoky bacon thick cut it with a knife
Smell fills the air
Bouncing off cracked 
Half-assed some kind of repair 
Duct tapped red vinyl booth seats 
Screaming 1950's decor reminiscent of happier days
Attaching its vibration to anyone that happens to be
An unfortunate victim of being in the wrong place 
At the wrong time - syndrome 
You slide into position and begin tapping 
A methodical rendition of Bo Diddle
On any adamant object that is slightly stationary 
Always reaching its full potential of
...fucking annoying as hell... 
While the Juke Box hungers for another quarter
Never noticing the grimace expression 
on the waitress's Onedrinkandsmoketomany dog-eared complexion
Temples pulsating thoughts deliberate
If only we could read her mind
My money's on...just another asshole...
And you keep trying to make her smile
Pulling the pencil from behind her left ear 
Eyes glazed over lack of luster
"...what'll ya have Mac?"
- the big hand goes around...tick, tick...
Snapping gum between cynical questions
Same old answers day after day
"One more cup of Joe for the road..."
Just another...dumbassedstupidfucking reply
Overloaded waitress brain freeze -


© 2014 TrilbyYates

Cave Of Darkness

Puzzled by your lacking  -
"...my view from high above 
any empirical consequence
and my simple perception.."
- of integrity 
Your eyes grow wide 
With a glimmer of delight 
As if you have just received 
A gift
An award
Crowned King
Shock value is short lived
And I question myself more now
...not just your inability 
To answer a question in a straight line 
Falling short on creativity 
Or forming full cohesive sentences 
With fact 
Fiction with a flair 
Bending the truth
Pliable words and meanings
Stretching what is 
And what is not 
Some things are black and white
Grey is the new black 
An excuse 
A sounding board to elaborate
One sided dialogue 
Playing out in your mind 
A one man show 
Standing ovation 
Encore
...A fair and reasonable warning 
If you refer to me by - 
My gender, race, ethnicity, faith or faithlessness
Old school slang descriptive expression 
Rather than by 
My given name 
The walls will go up 
My ego will depart
Common sense, gut reaction 
And instinct will take over
I will say it again and again
- Knowledge is a tool not a weapon -
...and it is powerful 
Never wasted even on those 
With a closed mind 
Eyes shut to all that can 
Only be translated or absorbed
Via human reaction or response 
Using a physical description
As a weapon...
A flair for words
- the color of ones skin
- the size of a woman's breasts 
- or ass...
If you choose 
To take that path
"... and I believe it is a choice..."
Your life experience
...most likely 
Will remain shallow 
And you will sadly
Dwell in a cave of darkness ~

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Forgiveness

Too much time 
has passed 
I've forgotten 
the words 
to some of the 
best songs
I have ever 
written 
And it is 
a damn shame 
when the lyrics
and rhythm 
dissipate 
into the wind 
like a fog 
or puff 
of steamy vapor 
A transparent 
...never really able to grasp at straw sense of loss 
Today feels 
more like 
a sand storm 
than a cold blast 
from the arrival 
of a premature winter 
The wind blows harder 
then it used to
Penetrating to the bone
...to the core
A chill reactionary shiver
Head to toe - spinal slip
Or maybe 
I've just lost 
some of my rough 
and tumble exterior 
My roll 
with the punches 
attitude 
My high 
and mighty air 
Protective gear 
upgrade overload
maxed out 
vinyl covered 
faux leather
side stepping boots
And there are issues 
that tare at my heart 
Yanking the strings 
out of my chest 
without any 
sense of 
responsibility 
or remorse
Out of tune and off beat
Ear bleeding burn
Praying on all fours 
in the background
...back alley
...back bar low-brow
Setting my soul ablaze 
Forgiveness 
is a learned art 
Each step 
is outside the realm 
of what could
have been 
a natural trait 
Or simply nurtured 
via circumstance...

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Deviant Past

The days 
Shorter now
Nights longer...
Appearing darker 
Than the norm
Without the slightest 
Hint of an artists color
Creative minds 
Freeze dry
Skyline falls flat
Just a hint of sepia
But only around 
The rough edges
And I have a hole 
In my one size fits all 
Italian handmade 
100% cotton shirt
Revealing more 
Than my self exposed
Deviant Past
And there is
A loose thread
From talking to much
And most likely 
...way to fast 
And a button 
Fell off of my 
Personal favorite
Pinstriped mannish 
Looking vest 
Rolling out 
With the grandeur
Of the infamous 
Velveteen carpet
Into oncoming traffic
Just when the light 
Was turning from 
A  cautionary  
Sunshine yellow 
To a blood curdling
Crimson red 
What could I do 
What could be said 
I've been stopped
In my forever hesitant
Walking backwards
And always covered 
Self absorbed tracks
Can't seem to find 
The perfect reflection
Or the perfect match
While always burning
A scented candle
At both ends 
And from where 
I am standing 
At the end of this 
Oh so lovely pier
Waves rolling in 
A repetitive taunt 
Hypnotic intention 
I maintain a blank 
Yet stoic stare
While the Man In The Moon 
Knows all too well
It is the end 
Of just another day
Glancing up at his 
Historical expression 
All I want to do 
Is slap that grin 
Off his distant
Untouchable face...
Putting an end
To the haunting progression
This invisible place
Instead I lose 
My footing once more
Sweetly blanketed
Cellophane Pseudo Sea
The familiar Sound 
My only safe haven 
So I will conclude 
And soulfully concede
Taking a deep breath 
While I quietly weep
I have but one choice 
That is to reluctantly give in
...and take it to the deep ~

© 2014 TrilbyYates

Dancing Naked In The Moonlight

One in the same
Uniquely similar
Uncomfortably familiar
Moving full circle 
Like it or not 
It is what it is
Who's who 
And what's what 
Narcissistic dialogue
One of a kind
Feedback loops around
Choking some
Freeing others
Find your niche baby
Hip Hop Bobbysoxer
Bohemian
Beat Generation
Hobo Banshee
Hippie 
Hipster
Generation X or Y 
Shacking up
Hanging out
Free love
Friends with benefits
Friends of friends
Acquaintance
Strangers
One night stand
Hit and run
Blind date 
Hooking up 

What the fuck
All I know is
I'm lost without you...

So here we are
Comparing notes
Black outs
Memory lapse
Morning after 
Some regrets
Holding back
Never say never
No means no
Passive aggressive
Tinder box
Playing with fire
Cradle robber
Erroneous zone
Giving in 
Letting go
Reckless abandon
Counting backward
Keeping score
Fantasy land
Passion pit
Up against a wall...
Recalling it all
Smile wide
Run and hide
Fight or flight
Deny, deny, deny

Dancing naked in the moonlight...

© 2014 TrilbyYates 

Walking On Shallow Water

Walking on shallow water 
Out in a deep blue sea
Sweeping transparent views
Earth and all its brilliance 
A distant shining light
For the lost and lonely
Draped in silk spun cloth 
Spun the way tales are 
Carefully weaved 
Tight intricate knots 
The High and Mighty 
Swirling poignant scent 
Of blessed incense 
Permeating the air 
Crown of Thorns 
Pressing down
While judgement bleeds
Dripping from generation
To generation with no reprieve 
Rosary beads in hand
Finger tips holding tight
Sensory perception 
Pathway to Heaven
Rosary beads dangle religiously
Sway gently around my neck
Choke back the tears 
Choke back the words
Don't speak of doubt 
Don't ever question
All that I once believed 
Words that I can recite 
With eyes closed
Head bowed down
Drifting off peacefully
A holier than thou sleep
...Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum
Where were you Mary
When I needed you 
A motherless child
Faith in the abstract 
Faith in the disbelief 
That all is not lost 
Or forever forgotten 
Walking on shallow water 
Draped in silk spun cloth 
All in the name 
Of the abstract 
Faith in the disbelief 
That all is not lost 
Or forever forgotten 

As I drift further 
and further out to sea 
repeating over and over
... Ave Marie, gratia plena, Dominus tecum
Ave Marie, gratia plena, Dominus tecum

© 2014 TrilbyYates